R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Karel Capek

Author:Karel Capek [Čapek, Karel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: play, _read1, _noisfdb, _isfdb, Novella, shortfiction, Science Fiction, Project Gutenberg, WPA Playhouse, Robots, radio play, Anatomy of Wonder 1 Core Collection
Publisher: Penguin Books (US)
Published: 2004-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Act Two

(Still in Helena’s room. Helena, left, plays piano. Domin paces up and down room, Dr. Gall looks out of window and Alquist sits to one side in armchair, his face covered in his hands)

Dr. Gall God, there are still more of them now!

Domin Robots?

Dr. Gall Yes. There’s a wall of them standing at the garden fence. Why are they so silent? It’s repulsive. A siege of silence.

Domin I wish I knew what they were waiting for. It must be about to start any moment. We’ve lost, Gall.

Alquist What is that that Helena’s playing?

Domin I don’t know. She’s practising something new.

Alquist Ah, so she’s still practising?

Dr. Gall Listen Domin, we made a crucial mistake.

Domin (stops) What mistake?

Dr. Gall We made the faces of the robots too much like one another. There are a hundred thousand faces staring up at us and they’re all the same. A hundred thousand expressionless bubbles. This is like a bad dream.

Domin If each of them were different...

Dr. Gall Then the sight of them wouldn’t be so ghastly. (moves away from window) At least they’re not armed yet!

Domin Hm.-(looks down at harbour through binoculars) I just wish I knew what it was they’re unloading from the Amelia.

Dr. Gall Let’s just hope it’s not weapons.

(enter Fabry through wallpapered door, dragging two electrical wires)

Fabry Excuse me. Hallemeier, put the wire down.

Hallemeier (following Fabry) Ouf, that was hard work. Anything new?

Dr. Gall Nothing. We’re completely surrounded.

Hallemeier Well lads, we’ve got the stairs and the corridors barricaded. Is there any water there? Ah, here it is. (drinks)

Dr. Gall What’s this wire for, Fabry?

Fabry You’ll see, you’ll see. Are there some scissors?

Dr. Gall Where would we find scissors? (looks for them)

Hallemeier (goes to window) Hell, there are even more of them now! Have a look at this!

Dr. Gall Would nail scissors be alright?

Fabry Give them to me. (cuts lead to electric lamp on desk and attaches his wires to it)

Hallemeier (at window) You haven’t got a very nice view here, Domin. It seems... to have... the feel of death about it.

Fabry Ready!

Dr. Gall What is?

Fabry The connection. Now we can put electric current through the whole of the garden fence. Anyone who touches it has had it. At least, as long as there are still some of our own down there.

Dr. Gall Where?

Fabry In the generator room. At least, I hope... (goes to fireplace and switches on small light there) Thank God for that-they’re there. And they’re working. (switches light off) As long as that light works we’re alright.

Hallemeier (turning back from window) Those are good barricades, Fabry. Now what’s that that Helena’s playing? (goes to door, left, and listens. Enter Busman through wallpapered door carrying enormous ledgers. Trips over wire)

Fabry Mind out, Bus! Mind those wires!

Dr. Gall Hello, what’s this you’re bringing us?

Busman (puts books on table) These are the important books, children. I think I’d better get the accounts done before... before.... well I don’t mean to wait until the new year before it’s sorted out. Now what’s all this you’ve got here? (goes to window) It’s all very quiet down there.

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